Pakistan might miss out on the services of wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed for the whole series, revealed the ODI skipper Azhar Ali. Sarfaraz flew back to Pakistan to be with his ailing mother. If ruled out, then he will be the second loss for Pakistan for the series as they have already lost the services of Mohammad Irfan.

Selectors are yet to announce a replacement for him but will soon supersede him with a wicket-keeper batsman. Mohammad Rizwan will perform the duty with the gloves in Sarfraz’s absence.

Kamran Akmal, the senior wicket-keeper batsman is now the front runner-up to replace Sarfaraz in the squad. Sarfaraz performed well in the Test series played prior to the ODI series as the right-handed batsman scored 226 runs in six innings at an average of 56.50.

The first ODI of the five-match ODI series is to be played on January 13 at Gabba. Australia has already announced their playing XI for the game. The Kangaroos have included Glenn Maxwell in the squad. Chris Lynn and Billy Stanlake have also been handed debut caps.